Top summer home design trends (sponsored)

Ah, summer. While Summit County is famous for its winters, summer is a season not to be missed, its brevity making it that much sweeter. The best way to enjoy it is to make sure the interior of your home matches the breezy, warm style of the outdoors.

We asked Lynn Myers, interior designer at Harmony Interiors in Frisco, for tips to capture the latest design trends for the 2016 summer season.

1. Two-tone kitchen cabinets

“Keep upper cabinets light or neutral for a clean, timeless feel,” Myers says, “then go crazy with the lower cabinets by playing with various wood tones and deeper colors to take your kitchen in two different style directions.”

2. Colored stainless steel appliances

“Black stainless steel is making a buzz,” says Myers. “A growing number of home appliance brands are rolling out refrigerators, oven ranges, dishwashers and other appliances in black stainless steel, a darker take on the classic stainless.”

If the color black doesn’t pique your interest, however, there are other options.

“Whirlpool is even making a Sunset Bronze finish, which I think is stunning,” Myers offers.

3. Statement mirrors in bathrooms

“Medicine cabinets are so dated,” says Myers. “Statement mirrors are in. Think large wood-framed beauties, backlit modern marvels and ornate vintage gems that boost style in the bathroom.”

4. Niche appliances

These appliances offer specific options for those who want that extra modicum of control in the kitchen.

“Steam ovens promise to cook food more thoroughly and healthier than microwaves,” Myers suggests. “Warming drawers deliver hot meals to family and guests, (while) induction cooktops save space and are safer for homes with young kids.”

5. Bidets

Looking for a way to make your bathroom classier? Bidets may be your answer. “The separate bidet unit in bathrooms never really took off in America,” says Myers, “but since manufacturers began creating combination bidet and toilet units, like Toto, they’ve been catching on. Five percent of renovated master bathrooms now include bidets.”

Creative colors

Preferred interior design color palettes change with the season, and often year-to-year. This year, those preferred colors seem to fall along the “light and bright” side of the spectrum.

For any space needing an energizing impact, a vibrant orange will do well, she suggests. Another such option is a sunny yellow.

“This bright, happy color can’t help but bring a smile to your face,” Myers says. “Artwork and accent pillows are two simple ways to let the ‘sunshine’ into your room. To make the color pop even more; pair it with a soft neutral, such as gray or white.”

For a calming presence, she suggests shades of serene sky blue, whereas a crisp white color can offer a clean backdrop for any number of accent pieces. Lastly, Myers suggests rose quartz to bring out a room’s feminine touch.